Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 357 Pigsy Guards His Heart, Zuo Liang Helps Him

Beside the Kingdom of Women in Xiliang, the night grew deep before their eyes.

Now, after realizing his mistake, Pigsy kept a close watch on the Western Liang Women's Kingdom, not daring to slacken his efforts, lest the demons escape and the immortals blame him.

Pigsy had been staring at the city for a while when he suddenly saw black smoke surging in the sky above the city, suggesting that a demon was about to leave. He could not tolerate this any longer and picked up his Nine-Toothed Rake.

Pigsy scolded, "You almost ruined things! I didn't expect you to actually try to escape. But now that I'm here, how can I let you get away?"

Say it.

Pigsy rode the clouds and flew up to the sky above the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang. Seeing that the black mist was heading outwards, he didn't hesitate and swung his nine-toothed rake, slashing wildly at her face.

The black mist seemed unaware of Pigsy's presence, and when it was struck, it panicked and burrowed into the city, daring not to leave again.

Pigsy laughed loudly and said, "Now that I'm watching, how can I let you escape? But demons can neither leave nor enter. If I let you escape, I'll go and apologize to the master!"

Pigsy showed no intention of chasing the black mist into the city.

But he learned from his mistakes. He had been captured and nearly lost his life earlier in the Nine Calamities Mountain due to carelessness, but he could not afford to do the same again.

Sun Wukong's important duty was to guard the city and prevent anyone from escaping. He only needed to do this job well. If he rashly entered the city, he would be in danger of suffering. If the demons and evil spirits in the city tried to entangle him with the women of the Western Liang Women's Kingdom and take the opportunity to escape, he would not be able to stop them. Therefore, he could not enter the city; guarding it from the outside was enough.

Seeing that the black mist had disappeared and was hidden in the city, Pigsy descended from the clouds and traveled to the outskirts. He kept a close watch on the city, his nine-toothed rake tightly gripped in his hand, never letting up for a moment.

He watched over the situation for more than half a day. Seeing that the weather was hot and there was no change in the city, he still dared not be careless and did not sit down.

Suddenly, a local deity came from the side of the land, bowed to him, and said, "I am the local deity of Liushan in the Western Liang Women's Kingdom, and I pay my respects to the Bodhisattva of the Clean Altar Messenger."

Pigsy turned his head and asked, "What brings you here, local deity, to find me?"

The local deity bowed and said, “Although I do not know why the Bodhisattva has stayed here for so long, I have seen that the Bodhisattva has been watching over this place day and night and may be tired. Therefore, I have brought a lot of tea and rice for the Bodhisattva to enjoy. Please accept them.”

Pigsy laughed and said, "You know what I'm thinking. Very good, very good."

He was about to put down the nine-toothed rake so he could enjoy his tea and meal, but as soon as he released the rake, he suddenly looked towards the city, pushed the tea and meal away, and said he didn't need them.

Pigsy said, "Old Pig doesn't need this kind of food and drink. You all go, you all go."

The local deity was puzzled and asked, "Why doesn't the Bodhisattva eat or drink? If you need to watch over the city, this old man will do it for you, so you can enjoy your meal in peace."

Pigsy gripped his nine-toothed rake tightly, staring at the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang, and said, "I know you can share a lot of my burden, but I also know what kind of person you are. If you eat and drink, I will definitely feel tired and lazy. I might even need to take a nap, which would be a bit unpleasant."

The local deity said, “If the Bodhisattva is tired, I can summon many local and mountain gods to perform his duties in his stead.”

Pigsy waved his hand and said, “Go, go, go. But this is the decree of the True Man, and I cannot let others do it for me, lest something go wrong. Go now and say no more.”

When the local deity saw Pigsy's words, he dared not persuade him any further. After bowing repeatedly, he took the tea and rice and left.

Pigsy breathed a sigh of relief after watching the local earth god leave, and said, "That fellow, how could he use tea and food to lure me? There's a saying, 'When you're full, you think of other things.' If I eat it, I'm afraid I'll be haunted and uneasy, and something bad will happen. It's not that I'm afraid of Brother Monkey, but I'm following Master's orders."

Pigsy remained motionless, staring intently at the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang, occasionally reciting a calming mantra in his mind, but we'll leave that aside for now.

……

The story goes that Sun Wukong and his third son Nezha rode on clouds to the Southern Continent, where they were searching for the Sandalwood Merit Buddha.

The Third Prince Nezha said, "Great Sage, we have been searching for the Sandalwood Merit Buddha for a long time, but we are afraid that something might have happened in the Western Liang Women's Kingdom."

Sun Wukong looked around from a tree for a long time and then replied, "Third Prince, there is no need to worry. Pigsy is guarding that place, so there is no chance of anything happening. That fellow is a bit lazy, but he has some skills. As long as he guards the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang and prevents the monster from escaping, his skills are enough."

Nezha said, "It was because of Pigsy's protection that I was worried. Pigsy's cultivation is not yet complete, and he is easily swayed. If he changes his mind and the monster escapes, we will not know where to go."

Sun Wukong smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness underestimates that Pigsy."

Nezha said, "Really?"

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "I know Bajie's nature. He is indeed prone to change and has become lazy. But his master is still here. You should know that Bajie was once a skilled cultivator. Now, he has been taught by the eldest brother for a long time. If he keeps slacking off, he should not continue to cultivate. The path is under his feet. If he does not walk, the heavens will have no way to help him. So let him walk and see how he does. It won't hurt to trust him this once. Even if he really escapes, we will go and ask the eldest brother and all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens. We will surely be able to find the demon's whereabouts."

After listening for a long time, Nezha bowed and said, "I was overthinking it."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "The prince's plan is to eliminate demons, so it's alright, it's alright."

Nezha said, "But we don't know where to find the Sandalwood Merit Buddha here. The world is in great chaos, and the three calamities are rampant, so it is difficult for us to find him."

When Sun Wukong mentioned this, he scratched his head and said, "The Southern Continent is indeed in great chaos. When I returned from my journey to the West to obtain the scriptures and entered the human world, the Southern Continent was peaceful. In such a short time, it has changed to this."

Nezha nodded and said, "What the Great Sage says is very true, but in my opinion, the fate of the Tang Dynasty is sealed."

Sun Wukong said, "This has nothing to do with us. The Li Tang dynasty here has nothing to do with me. If Emperor Taizong had asked me to do something back then, I would have helped him. But now is not the time when Emperor Taizong is alive. Let's go find the Sandalwood Merit Buddha."

Nezha said, "That's how it is, that's how it is."

The two then fell silent and walked outside.

The two searched in the mountains and found their way to Jingzhou in the Southern Continent. Sun Wukong suddenly stopped in one of the mountains and went deeper into the mountains. He saw a faint light of magic appearing there and immediately called out to Nezha.

Nezha asked, "Great Sage, what brings you here? Are you looking for the Sandalwood Merit Buddha?"

Sun Wukong pointed to the depths of the mountain and said, “There is a Dharma light there. We don’t know what it is. Let’s go there and take a look. Even if the Dharma light is not the Buddha of Merit, it is still a true cultivator in the human world. We can’t say for sure whether it is the Buddha of Merit.”

Nezha said, "In that case, let's go over there and take a look."

After a moment's thought, the two headed deeper into the mountains. After traveling for a while, they saw a pavilion in the mountains, a house facing south. Outside the gate was a white wall with a towering gate, which was very impressive. It was from this tower that the Dharma Light emerged, and a true cultivator of the Way resided in the human world.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and saw a man guarding the door. He immediately said, "Brother, brother!"

The man looked at Sun Wukong and asked, "Where do you come from, and why have you come to my master's residence?"

Sun Wukong bowed and said, "Brother, I came from the West to cultivate. Now that I have arrived here, I see the great light of the Dharma here, and I guess there is a true cultivator here, so I have come to pay my respects."

The man beamed with joy and said, "You have discerning eyes, knowing that my master is a true cultivator of the Tao, a Celestial Master!"

Sun Wukong said, "We come from the West and are ignorant and uninformed, so we have never heard of the 'Celestial Master'. I hope you will inform him and allow us to go and meet him." The man simply said, "Of course, of course."

The man told Sun Wukong and Nezha to wait outside the mansion, then turned and went inside.

Nezha looked at the man and said, "This man is but a mortal. There are true cultivators here, most likely the Celestial Master."

Sun Wukong said, "What the prince says is very true, but true cultivation is hard to find. To have even one is already quite remarkable."

Nezha laughed and said, "But the human lineage is gradually declining. If one truly cultivates, as the Great Sage said, having even one of these qualities is already quite remarkable."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "The path is under your feet; this is not true."

The two waited outside the mansion for a while.

The man led several people over, bowed to Sun Wukong and Nezha, and said, "Sir, please come in. But as the master said, if you have eaten, you can have some tea and rice in the mansion, and then we can meet again."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "No need for food, take me to see your master."

The man then led the way, bringing Sun Wukong and Nezha inside.

Before long, they arrived at a house in the mansion. The man said that the master was inside and invited them in.

Sun Wukong peered inside and saw someone sitting cross-legged. Upon closer inspection, he was startled to discover that this person was none other than Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang, who was there, also saw Sun Wukong. He quickly got up, walked out of the house, bowed, and said, "Zhengyuan greets Uncle-Master! I didn't know you were coming. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!"

The group of followers were greatly alarmed when they saw Zuo Liang like this, but they did not know that Sun Wukong was Zuo Liang's uncle.

Sun Wukong helped Zuo Liang up and laughed, "Zhengyuan, I didn't know you were here. I wondered what kind of true cultivator you were, but I didn't know. It's because you, Zhengyuan, are like 'the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, and family members don't recognize each other.'"

Zuo Liang bowed and said, "If I had known that my master was coming, I would not have dared to wait in the room."

Sun Wukong smiled slightly and said, "Ignorance is no excuse. Zheng Yuan's magical power is now greater than before. If my senior brother knew this, he would surely be pleased."

Zuo Liang said, "I have only a little bit of magical power, which I dare not let Master know. I am afraid that Master will blame me for not being diligent in my cultivation. I can only improve by one or two points now."

Sun Wukong smiled and shook his head, saying that he had received the true teachings of the master. He then sent Nezha forward to meet Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang recognized Nezha and bowed again, saying, "Greetings, Great God of the Three Altars and Seas. In previous years, I invited the Great God to subdue the evil dragon, but I have not yet personally expressed my gratitude."

Nezha smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's just a small matter, nothing to worry about."

The three talked for a long time, and then Zuo Liang led Sun Wukong and Nezha inside, where they talked for another while.

After a long while, Zuo Liang finally asked why Sun Wukong and his companions had come to this mountain in Jingzhou.

Sun Wukong smiled and told Zuo Liang about everything in detail.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang felt deeply ashamed and said, "Master needs someone to clean the main road to the west, but I am not here. I am truly unfilial."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "You mustn't say that. You are currently cultivating, how can you speak of filial impiety? Besides, clearing the way for those traveling west is already enough."

Zuo Liang had no choice but to give up, saying, "But now that you, Uncle, are looking for the Sandalwood Merit Buddha, I may be able to help you."

Sun Wukong asked, "Zhengyuan, do you know where the Sandalwood Merit Buddha is?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Uncle-Master, I don't know where the Sandalwood Merit Buddha is, but I have a way to find him."

Sun Wukong was overjoyed and asked, "Zhengyuan, what method do you have? Tell me."

Nezha also looked around, elated.

Zuo Liang said, “As you know, my master is a practitioner of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. But I can write a letter to ask the local land gods and mountain gods in Jingzhou to help me search. If it is in Jingzhou, we will definitely find the Sandalwood Merit Buddha. But if we cannot find it in Jingzhou, my master and I will go to other prefectures and counties to ask the local land gods and mountain gods to search for it.”

Sun Wukong said, "Zhengyuan can invite the local earth gods and mountain gods of a whole prefecture. That's quite remarkable, quite remarkable indeed."

Zuo Liang said, "This is just a minor skill; it cannot compare to my master's."

Nezha said, "Don't say any more. Quickly ask the local earth god and mountain god to come and help. If we delay, something bad will happen."

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, instructing his attendants to prepare the altar. He then took out paper and pen, wrote a document, and invited the local land and mountain gods of Jingzhou.

The inscription reads: "I humbly submit that the heavens above bear witness, the earth protects the land, mountains and lakes communicate, and deities perform their duties. Now, I, from the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain Xieyue Sanxing Cave in Xiniu Hezhou, with utmost reverence and trepidation, bow my head and respectfully beseech the local earth deities of Jingzhou, the gods of mountains and rivers, the city gods, and the yin and yang masters, to bestow your mercy and penetrate the mysteries of the universe."

The Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, Chen Xuanzang, is a Buddha of the Western Vulture Peak. Because of past events in the Western Continent of Niuhezhou, he needed to seek his help, but he did not know where he had gone. He could only pray that the gods would shine upon him, reveal his form and guide him on his way.

First, I pray to the local earth god to patrol the land and observe its movements; second, I pray to the gods of mountains and rivers to traverse peaks, valleys, forests, and springs to find its traces; third, I pray to the city god to connect the world of the living and the world of the dead and reveal its location; fourth, I pray to the god of fate and yin and yang to persuade it to return if it is in the netherworld.

We respectfully offer fragrant vegetarian fruits, gold foil cloud-shaped horses, cinnabar talismans, sacrificial animals, and wine to the holy beings.

I humbly pray that the cinnabar talisman will break through obstacles and reveal the formless traces; that the Dharma drum will connect with the spirits and resonate in the hidden realms; and that true Qi will permeate the void and guide those who are lost on the path.

伏惟
Enjoy!

On the day of Jia Shen in the month of Bing Wu (丙午) of the Heavenly Cycle, the altar was opened at the Xingtai Fangcun Mountain, Xieyue Sanxing Cave, in Xiniu Hezhou.

After Zuo Liang finished writing the document, he put it away.

Sun Wukong took a closer look and laughed, "Zheng Yuan's book is very flattering to them."

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "It's never wrong to be polite. Let's talk to them and let them know. This way, we can build good relations and make things much easier in the future."

Nezha nodded and said, "Zhengyuan's words are very reasonable. He is polite, which pleases the gods. If he gives an order, the gods will definitely help him."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "It was old Sun who spoke too much."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "My uncle is a person with profound magical power and divine martial arts skills, so he doesn't need to do this. But my magical power is shallow, so I need to do this."

Sun Wukong said he dared not accept such words, for compared to those with great magical power, he was far inferior, and how could he dare to claim that his magical power was profound?

(End of this chapter)